Rotary electric switch



March 1951 o. H. HASSELBAUM 2,545,744

ROTARY ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed March 17, 1948 3 SheecsSheet l I -I8 45-- I FIG! F l G. i I INVENTOR OSCAR H.HASSELBAUM BY g/M QI HIS ATTORNEY March 27, 1951 0, H ss L u 2,546,744

ROTARY ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed March 17, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 i l8 l7;

{ I [3 a 1? H M/l/E/VTOR OSCAR H. HASSELBAUM BY g g/ W HIS AT TOR EY March27, 1951 o. H. HASSELBAUM ROTARY ELECTRIC SWITCH 3 Sheets-Sheet" 5 Filed March 17, 1948 INVENTOR OSCAR H. HASSELBAUM HIS ATTORNEY FIG?) Patented Mar. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE to Joseph Pollak Corporation,

Dorchester,

Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application March 17, 1948, Serial No. 15,452

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to an electric switch adapted particularly for aircraft and automotive work or for operating electrically ignited engines or in other fields where the functions of the switch fill the desired need.

The switch of the present invention is a lock type ignition switch with a momentary start position which is reached not from an off position of the ignition switch but only after the ignition has been turned on and kept on as the switch is put into the start position.

A further feature of the present invention is that the motion of ignition is rotary and the motion of start is axial of the rotation of the switch.

A further feature of the present invention is that the switch is constructed in a very simple manner by providing a rotating plate operable by the core of a lock wherein a member axially aligned with the core and centrally positioned in the plate may be moved axially when it reaches a desired rotated position.

A further feature of the present invention is that the electrical connections are brought in through the rear insulated stationary plate of the switch, to which the metallic housing of the switch is attached by means of which the switch may be mounted.

A still further feature of the present invention is that the insulated rear plate carrying the stationary switch contacts may be connected in a number of diiferent ways so that the switch, by few changes, can be used for different circuit arrangements.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will be understood from the description of the invention in the specification below pointing out the construction and. operation of the elements forming individually and in combination the invention, an embodiment of which is illustrated in the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section through the switch and lock which is illustrated as a disc tumbler type barrel and core lock;

Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the switch in modified form with a look also illustrated as a disc tumbler type barrel and core lock;

Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the modification of Fig. 2 taken on section lines correspond ing to 3-3 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 shows a section on the the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 shows a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 shows an exploded perspective view 2 without the electrical switching contact elements of the electric switch as applied more particularly to the structure of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 shows an end view of the contact plate of the switch of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 shows an end view of the contact plate of the switch of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 shows a face view of the end contact plate of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 shows a face View of the end contact plate of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 shows a face view of the rotary contact plate of the modification of Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 shows a side view thereof; and

Fig. 13 shows a face view of the contact spider of Fig. 3.

The base or flange 1 of the housing opens to a concentrically positioned elongated neck or 001- lar 12, serving as the barrel or casing for the core l3 of the lock. The drawings shown in Figs. 2 to 7 inclusive shows the disc tumbler lock in which the barrel is formed as a part of the housin of the switch casing.

Continuing with the description of Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9, the rotatable core l3 of the lock carries a square end [1, which fits into a similarly shaped cavity I 8 in the insulating hub piece IS. The insulating hub piece I9 is formed with an external flange 20 having two diametrically positioned recesses 2| and 22 on the periphery of the flange, extending from the face edge inward in diametrically opposite positions. At the back of the flange is a substantially square section piece 23, adjacent to which is the cylindrical section 24 having a diameter equal to a side of the square. This hub piece l9 enages the rotatable plate 25, also made of insulating mate'- rial. The rotatable plate 25 is provided with a squared hole 25 at the center to receive the corresponding squared shoulder piece 23 of the hub piece [9, permitting longitudinal motion of the hub piece to a limited extent with respect to the rotatable plate without disengaging the plate from the hub piece. The plate 25 is cylindrical in shape with a cylindrical face groove 21 extending around the surface of the plate just within the peripheral edge. This groove has a cross section tapering to the bottom to accommodate and fit the ribs 8, 9, Hi, and II in such a manner that the outer surfaces of the ribs will ride near the bottom of the groove and provide sufficient play for the sides of the ribs, permitting smooth rotating of the plate on the ribs as rails. The plate 25 has a cut out sector 28 Which in the present case is of the order of This cut out sector engages the pin II projecting within the housing from the base 7 and limits the motion of the plate between the ends of this cut out sector. The plate is also provided with three recesses, 29, and another not shown, in which corresponding springs 32, 32 (only two of which are shown) are inserted for supporting the conductor spider 33, which is provided with three overlapping tabs 34, 34, 3 4, and three bosses, 35, 35, 35, adjacent the tabs in the annular portion of the spider. The tabs 34 engage recesses 35 in the sides or the plate 25, while the springs 32 have their other ends resting in the cavity side of the bosses 35.

This construction permits the spider conducting piece 33 to move by virtue of the spring support with respect to the plate 25 in making electrical contact with the fixed contact plate 2, and

also to provide a wipin motion and to effect accurate positioning as the switch key is turned from one position to the other. The hub piece I3 is provided with an insulating web 3'! at the base of the squared hole 3. The flange 23 has a concentric recess 33 formed in it of which the web 3'! is the base. snugly a thin conducting plate 39 with a boss on its outer exposed face at the center. A helical spring 4! bears upon this plate at its edge and against the side wall of the recess 38, in which ,it also snugly fits at one end, the other portion of the spring projecting through the center of the spider 33 without making contact with it in any way. The spring on its other end when in position is seated in a central cavity 42 of the back plate 2. This central cavity has a conducting ring 43, on which the spring rests, the conducting ring havin an extending strip (Fig. 9) connecting with the terminal 44 (see Fig. '7). Centrally located on the base 2, surrounded by the spring, is a conducting stud 45, which is mounted on the boss 46 raised with respect to the connecting ring 43. The stud 45 is connected through the center of the back plate 2 to the rear external connector 41. The plate 2 is also provided with three other conducting studs 60, GI and 52 connected to the terminals 44, 63, and 64 respectively. One of these conducting studs, 60, is connected to the ring conductor 43 through which the power, for instance battery power in an automobile, may be brought to the switch. There is also located on the back plate 2 adjacent the ring 43 two pins 48, 48 diametrically opposite each other and positioned to engage the recesses 2i and 22 in the hub member l9 when these recesses are aligned with the pins. only position, it will be noted, in which the hub member I9 can be pushed into engagement with the plate 2 in such a manner as to make electrical contact between the projecting boss or stud 40 and the contacting stud 45 on the back plate. In the switch arrangement described above, this is designed to occur only when all ignition connections have been made preparatory to turning over the starting generator. The operator then knows that when the starter is turning over, the other necessary contacts have already been made to commence the operation of the engine.

By positioning the contact studs 0n the back plate as desired, various switching arrangements may be made with a contact ring having three contact bosses properly spaced by movement of approximately 90 of the Wiper plate. For an aircraft switch, one position may be maintained as off/3 a second position for completing the battery circuit, a third position for the magneto This recess is formed to receive This is the 1 circuit, and a fourth position for both battery and magneto, in which the starter may be energized if desired. In another arrangement, a center position may be connected as off with a right or left connecting various accessoring elements such as the radio or meters on the instrument board, and the alternate position for all the circuits including the ignition circuit, including axial operation for the starter.

The switch shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9 may be off in a central position and on for accessoriesj such as parking lights and radio, in a left position, while in a right position ignition circuits may be completed preparatory to starting. In this case, starting of the starting motor is effected by axially pushing the key and lock inward which can only be accomplished in this right starting position.

Referring to Figs. 2, '7, 9, and 13, when the lock is in a position presentin the spider 33 as shown in Fig. 13 facing the contacts as shown in Fig. 9, the switch will be in neutral position or off. Rotating the lock and spider counterclockwise, the projection 10 (towards the paper) will leave the recess [3 and next lodge in the cavity of contact ti, while 12 will lodge in the contact fill which is also formed with a cavity, and contact M will lodge in the depression 14 of the insulating plate 2. A circuit will then be completed from the terminal 44, the contact 59, the spider 33, and the contact 6|. Since the pins G8 are in this position not aligned with the cavities 2i and 22, contact cannot be made between the contact 45 and the boss 40 as the lock is held oh" and cannot be pushed in.

When the spider 33 is turned to the right clockwise (Fig. 13) one notch, 10 makes contact with 60 and 12 with 52 as well as H with 6 i thus completing three potential circuits: 62 to the ignition, 6! to the accessories, and 6!] to the prime circuit as in the other left position. The ring 43 and strip 50 are energized in both left and right positions, and when therefore the lock is pushed in momentarily, since now the pins 48 and cavities 2| and 22 are aligned, current will flow in the strip 50, the ring 43, the spring 4|, the plate 39, the boss 40, the contact plate 45 and the center terminal 41, completing the starter circuit back to the battery. I

In the modifications illustrated in Figs. 1, 6,8,10, 11, and 12, the only difference from the first form is in the form of contact plate as far as the positions of the contact are concerned and in the shape of the spider. In Figures 6 and 10, the contact plate is shown at 8|] having the same projecting pins 48 and the same central boss 46 on which the contact stud 45 is mounted. Also the conducting ring 43, the strip 50, cavity contact 60, and groove 5 may be the same in both modifications.

In Fig. 10 the dotted lines show the spider contacts of the rotor. The rotor corresponds to the rotor 25 which has the same central hub piece l9 as in Fig. 3. The rotor 81 is substantially the same as the rotor 25 except for the provision of retaining the spiders 82 and 83 which are supported independently one of the other on springs 84, 84 set in cavities in the rotor. The spiders 82 and 83 are not connected, but are moved simultaneously by the rotor 8!.

The position of the dotted line spiders in Fig. 10 shows the switch in the off position. The first notch movement brings the spider in a position connecting contacts 85, which may be the ignition coil, and 86, which may be the battery bus and contact. The spider'83 in its'initial position connects contacts '87 and 88, .88 being the magneto and 181 the ground, and maintains this same connection in the first notch motion, thus maintaining the magneto grounded and'throwing ignition to the coil .and battery.

In the second notch position it will be seen that the contact of the spider 82 is between the coil contacts ,85 and 85 opening the coil circuit while the magneto .circuit is not grounded since the contact .on the spider 83 has progressed beyond the magneto contact 88. This throws the circuit on the magneto. The next notch position, how ever, connects the coil and battery again and keeps the magneto ungrounded. In this position,

the key may be pressed in and the circuit through the central contacts completed as described above :for the starter.

The swing of the rotor is limited by the cutout sector 28 which has been previously mentioned. This may be about 100 and should be suificient to allow the lock to be turned between the extreme positions but not more.

The advantage gained in the present design is that a great series of switches may be constructed for varying purposes with the change only of two elements, the rest of the construction employing identical pieces for a turn push in starting switch. Completing the ignition circuit preparatory to starting is very desirable and the switch should go through the phase of completing ignition circuits prior to starting. In the present invention, the completing of other circuits may be readily included in the switch.

I claim:

1. A look type starter switch comprising a lock and switch housing member having an internal cylindrical cross section, a switch contact plate fixed in said housing perpendicular to the cylindrical axis thereof, a rotor facing said contact plate and having a contact wiper mounted thereon, said rotor being rotatably mounted in said housing about the same axis, a hub piece engaging a central hole in said rotor for turning the same, a lock member engaging said hub piece for turning the same, said hub piece and lock member being mounted for limited axial motion, and means located in part on said hub piece and in part on said contact plate for permitting said limited axial motion only in a certain position of said elements.

2. A look type starter switch comprising a housing having a lock mounted therein for rotating about a longitudinal axis, a rotor having contact elements, said rotor being mounted in said housing for rotation concentric with said axis, a hub element concentrically mounted engaging said rotor and said look but free for longitudinal motion with respect thereto, a fixed insulating plate having contacts mounted on the inner face thereof facing said rotor, means for fixing said insulating plate in said housing, said contacts of the rotor and fixed plate adapted to engage one another when the rotor is rotated, a contact carried by said hub element, a further contact carried by said fixed plate, and means partly in said hub and partly in said fixed plate, permitting the said last contacts to be brought together in a definite and determined position of said rotor with respect to the contact plate.

3. A lock type starter switch comprising a lock and switch housing member having an internal cylindrical cross section, a switch contact plate fixed in said housing perpendicular to the cylindrical axis thereof, a rotor facing said contact plate and having'a contact wiper mounted therelocated in part on said hub piece and in part on said contact plate for permitting said limited axial motion only in "a certain position of said elements, said rotor having an 'arcuate recess therein and said housing having a pin engaging said recess whereby said rotor has a limited arc of motion.

'4. In a lock type starter switch, 'a fixed insulating plate'having exposed contacts mounted thereon, a rotor having a contact spider mounted thereon adapted to be held in face contact with the insulating plate, a hub piece fitting in a hole in said rotor for rotating the rotor, said hub piece being free for longitudinal motion in said hole, means carried by said insulating plate 'for spacing said hub from the insulating plate except in one position of the hub, and means carried'by said hub piece in association with the previous means carried'by said insulating plate when aligned one with the other for permitting an electrical circuit to be closed when said hub piece is moved longitudinally towards said insulating plate.

5. In a lock type starter switch, a fixed insulating plate having exposed contacts mounted thereon, a rotor having a contact spider mounted thereon adapted to be held in face contact with the insulating plate, a hub piece fitting in a hole in said rotor for rotating the rotor, said hub piece being free for longitudinal motion in said hole, means carried by said insulating plate for spacing said hub from the insulating plate except in one position of the hub, and means carried by said hub piece in association with the previous means carried by said insulating plate when aligned one with the other for permitting an electrical circuit to be closed when said hub piece is moved longitudinally towards said insulating plate, the means carried by said hub piece comprising a recess formed therein and the means carried by the said insulating plate comprising a projecting pin adapted to engage one another in said one position.

6. In a lock type starter switch, a fixed insulat ing plate having exposed contacts mounted thereon, a rotor having a contact spider mounted thereon adapted to be held in face contact with the insulating plate, a hub piece having a collar in the shape of a regular polygon fitting a similar cavity in said rotor, a flange at the end of said hub piece fitting in a recess on one face of said rotor permitting longitudinal motion of the hub piece with respect to said rotor toward said insulating plate, and a pin and cooperating recess carried by said insulating plate and hub piece in face relation, a pair of contacts, one on said hub piece and one on said insulating plate facing one another in alignment, whereby when said pin and recess coincide said hub piece and insulating plate may be moved towards each other whereby a circuit will be made through said pair of contacts.

7. In a lock type starter switch, a housing having a rotatable lock housed therein having an extension for turning an electric switch and moving a portion thereof in a longitudinal direction, an insulating plate having electric contacts mounted on the inner face thereof in a plane perpendicular to the turning axis, a rotor plate having an electric contact spider mounted thereadapted to complete an electrical circuit when,

in the longitudinal motion of said coupling means, said contacts carried respectively by said means and said plate, contact one another.

8. In a lock type ignition starter switch, a housing formed with a shoulder and a collar portion extending from the shoulder, a lock rotatably mounted in the collar, said shoulder on the inside having an arcuate wedge shaped rib and a pin projecting therefrom, a rotor having a groove engaging said rib and a cut-out sector engaging said pin limiting the angular motion of said rotor, a recess in the center of said rotor means extending into the recess for rotating the rotor with said lock, a stator fixed in said case, contact elements carried by said rotor and spring means between said contact elements and said rotor for obtaining wiping pressure and holding said rotor in said guide groove.

9. A look type ignition starter switch for a spark operated gas engine comprising a housing having a rotatable lock mounted therein, an ignition starter switch comprising a stator and a rotor element having ignition contacts, means coupling said lock with said rotor whereby a given rotation willeffect contact of said i nition contacts, and means including said coupling means for permitting said lock to be pressed inwardly axially thereof only in the position of ignition, comprising an independent hub piece for said rotor engaged by said lock permitting axial motion thereof, said hub piece having an electrical contact plate concentrically positioned facing said stator with a stud projecting therefrom, a metallic coil spring bearing on said electrical contact plate surrounding said stud and bearing on a contact in said insulating plate, a further contact on said insulating plate facing and aligned with said stud whereby when said lock is pressed inwardly a circuit is completed through said coil spring and the aligned contacts on said hub piece and said insulating plate, said circuit being the starting circuit for said gas operated engine.

OSCAR H. HASSELBAUM. 7

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

